The rules for hospitality in Amsterdam are changing. Regular hospitality, such as restaurants and snack bars, will soon close an hour earlier on weekends.
Amsterdam is becoming increasingly crowded and busy. New hospitality concepts are emerging. There are more visitors. And in neighborhoods, more residences are being built. Entrepreneurs want to operate, and residents want to live comfortably. This sometimes clashes. The law has also changed. The national Environmental Law requires municipalities to determine which type of hospitality fits where. Therefore, the rules for hospitality in the city have been updated. The agreements are now clearer and apply uniformly across the city.
What is changing?
Hospitality businesses vary greatly, and thus different agreements are necessary. In the new policy, businesses are categorized as light, regular, medium-heavy, and heavy. These categories describe the impact of a business on the neighborhood. Rules have been established for each category.
Here are the main changes:
- Regular hospitality (including fast food) will close an hour earlier on weekends, at 02:00 AM. During the week, they may remain open until 01:00 AM. This will take effect after a transition period of 2 years. Snack bars can apply for an exemption for extended hours. Districts will designate areas where this is possible.
- Medium-heavy and heavy hospitality can apply for an exemption 12 times a year. Other hospitality retains the option to apply for an exemption up to 5 times a year.
- A mandatory environmental plan permit will be required for terraces. In locations where there is currently no terrace or where the terrace is changing, the entrepreneur must apply for this permit. Existing businesses with a terrace will automatically receive this permit at no cost. The current regulations will continue to apply to these terraces.
- Twice a year, other activities may also take place on terraces, provided this is reported to the municipality in advance. Amplified music is not allowed, and the activity must stop by 10:00 PM.
When do the new rules take effect?
The new hospitality policy still needs to be approved by the city council. The city council will discuss the plans in March 2025. If the plans are approved, they will likely take effect in 2028.
Want to know more?
- Visit amsterdam.nl/horecabeleid.
- Check the agenda of the city council.